University formalizes partnership with human rights museum

By: Kevin Rollason

ONE of Manitoba's major institutions has joined forces with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in the battle for human rights.

What has been a loose partnership since the museum began taking shape is now official after the museum under construction at The Forks signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Manitoba on Monday.

"This is a great partnership," David Barnard, the university's president and vice-chancellor, said after the signing.

"It aligns with our three basic issues: learning, discovery and engagement... people around the world will look at the (human rights) expertise we have in the city, which includes us and the museum.

"There is nothing larger in terms of engagement in the country than this project."

Stuart Murray, the museum's president and chief executive officer, said the museum looks forward to working with the university on future research projects.

"The University of Manitoba is a leader in human rights," Murray said.

"Today we formalize the partnership, which has been around in principle since the museum's earliest days... this will allow us to continue working together on a larger number of projects aimed at human rights education and promotion."

As part of the run-up to the museum's opening in 2013, the university will be hosting a seminar series titled Critical Conversations: The Idea of a Human Rights Museum.

As well, Arthur Schafer, director of the university's centre for professional and applied ethics, is putting together a series of lectures bringing in world-renowned human rights experts to celebrate the museum's opening year.

"We're going to do a big splash," Schafer said.

"People will recognize the names. We're inviting Nobel laureates including Africa's first Nobel laureate. The people we are inviting have had an immense impact on human rights."

One of the partnership projects already underway between the university and the museum is one with English and sociology professors using new technology to explore empathy in human rights issues.

Andrew Woolford, a sociology professor, said they want to use iPod and iPhone technology to see what happens when people actually meet a person affected by atrocity.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 31, 2011 A2


(2011-5-31/Winnipeg Free Press)